Border Force has rejected union claims the health of personnel has been jeopardised following a lead poisoning and legionella scare aboard Australian patrol boats.
The agency has confirmed elevated lead levels were detected in the freshwater system of some Cape Class Patrol Boats.
It is working to determine if the contamination is the result of high lead levels in shore-supplied water or whether it is from on-board systems.
"While we work through these issues, some crews are being accommodated on shore until the freshwater system complies with the required standards," a Border Force spokesman said.
He said all crew on board the affected vessels were notified of the issue and had undergone blood testing.
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The test results showed all officers had lead readings within the normal range.
Border Force also confirmed after annual maintenance one boat showed water testing results with a slightly elevated reading of legionella bacteria in one tap.
"There were no crew embarked at the time and the water systems have been treated," the spokesman said.
"This appears to be an isolated incident."
The agency said the boats continued to be deployed for normal operations.
"The health and welfare of our crews will always be our top priority," the spokesman said.
Earlier, the public sector union criticised Border Force's handling of the matter.
Union spokeswoman Brooke Muscat-Bentley said it only became aware of the lead contamination after a member caught wind of rumours.
"Border Force should have been far more proactive in notifying the union and crew members as soon as the first traces of lead were detected," she said.
"The lack of communication has undermined the confidence of staff in how the situation's being handled."
